Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1344: Kissing Photo Exposed

Prince Rosen was gravely ill, surviving this long had already been a challenge, and his life was on a countdown.

He knew that Willow Crawford had no romantic feelings for him, so when he learned that Morgan Ashworth of The Merfolk Kingdom had intentionally gotten close to her, he decided to turn the tables.

In truth, Rosen was deeply concerned. He genuinely liked Willow, and if it weren’t absolutely necessary, he would never push his fiancée away. But he had no choice.

Willow had to marry him, and even after his death, she had to keep her vow.

Rosen wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, closed his eyes, and said, "Marriage is not something one decides alone. Whether Willow wants to or not, she must marry!"

...

Willow Crawford returned to her room, Vivi Xavier was worried about her, "Willow, sister, I didn’t expect Miles Linden to be a bad person at all. I was truly blind. What about Prince Rosen, do you like him?"

"Vivi," Willow gently held Vivi’s little hand, "Whether it’s Miles Linden or Prince Rosen, they are far from simple. Now I understand, regardless of the freedom my parents and brothers give me, I am not simple either. Do you understand, Vivi?"

Vivi shook her head, "I don’t understand."

"It’s good not to understand, it’s wonderful not to understand," Willow murmured absentmindedly.

"Willow, sister, are you okay?"

"I don’t know if I’m okay or not, I just know I’ve grown up."

Yes, Willow had grown up.

True growth is not about how many books you’ve read, nor how many lessons others have taught you, but from experiencing sorrow, heartache, and pain, that’s when you truly grow up.

Vivi was still a child. She looked at Willow, and there was a current of sadness in Willow’s eyes, yet it also held a firm composure. Is this what it means to grow up?

Growing up makes you stronger but also starts to make you unhappy. If this is what growing up means, then she’d rather never grow up.

"Willow, sister, it’s late. Just take a bath and sleep, I’ll stay with you tonight."

"Okay."

Willow went to take a hot shower, then buried herself under the covers and closed her eyes. She was so tired, so exhausted, that she soon fell asleep.

Vivi sat by the bedside accompanying Willow. Even in sleep, Willow was restless, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, not knowing if she was having a nightmare.

Vivi reached out to tuck the blanket around Willow and then heard Willow’s somniloquy, she was calling Miles Linden... Miles Linden...

She was calling out Miles Linden’s name in her dream.

Vivi couldn’t help but feel somewhat melancholic. She knew that Miles Linden was the boy Willow had loved most deeply throughout her life. The disappearance of young Miles Linden had laid to rest Willow’s entire adolescence.

...

Willow didn’t sleep well, and when she awoke the next day, she felt groggy as she went downstairs.

Vivi was sitting in the living room watching TV. The television was broadcasting a piece of news, and the host said that suddenly today, a photo surfaced on the internet. The quality of the photo was very blurry, and it hasn’t been confirmed who the two people are. However, the girl in the photo quite resembles the Princess of Alani, Willow Crawford.

Willow was descending the stairs when she paused upon seeing the exposed photo on TV; it was the photo of her leaning in to kiss Miles Linden at his door the night before.

The photo was quite blurry, and coupled with the angle of the shot, Miles Linden was hidden within the door frame, unclear, but she could be vaguely seen.

The host continued, it’s well known that Alani and Prince Rosen’s family have intentions of marriage. There have been rumors over the years that Princess Willow Crawford is to become the first consort loved by the public, that Prince Rosen. Yet it’s clear that the man in this photo is not Prince Rosen, which has indeed stirred up a storm.

What’s going on with this photo? According to our information, the Princess of Alani, Willow Crawford, hasn’t turned eighteen yet. Has she been engaged in early romance and infidelity? We have called The Crawford Group couple and Caden Crawford, the President of Westria, yet have not gotten through. It seems Prince Rosen has been cuckolded. Whether Alani and the royal family will annul the marriage contract, we’ve also called the royal family, but no one has answered. To this moment, no one has responded to this incident.

At this point, Vivi turned her head and immediately saw Willow at the stairs. She promptly turned off the TV, "Willow, sister, why up so early? Get more sleep."

Willow came down and looked at the TV, saying nothing.

"Willow, sister, what they say on TV is nonsense. Don’t take it to heart. I believe your parents will handle it. Your big brother is the President; we are not afraid." Vivi awkwardly consoled, not knowing how Willow noticed it.

Willow’s face was a bit pale. A breakup yesterday, and today her kissing photo with Miles Linden got exposed. This was entirely unexpected for her.

Outside must be a storm already. Because her parents and brother hold high positions, her damaged reputation would result in more severe consequences.

Willow felt a bitterness in her mouth. Her youthful love, full of calculations, she was the only one deeply involved. She didn’t expect it to end in such a humiliating way, almost turning into a blemish.

She was indeed too foolish and naïve before. Being the Princess of Alani, if she couldn’t bear the title, someone would prey on her and devastate her family.

"Willow, sister, who do you think took this photo?"

Who?

Willow said nothing.

"Could it be... Morgan Ashworth? From the start, Morgan Ashworth aimed at you, Willow, sister. He took this photograph secretly and made it public, tarnishing you and Prince Rosen’s royal family to sabotage the marriage alliance."

The more Vivi thought about this possibility, the more plausible it seemed, exclaiming furiously, "It seems like Morgan Ashworth is the biggest winner right now. It’s infuriating. I used to call him brother-in-law, but he reeks of the Merfolk’s sly and despicable blood—I despise him!"

"Willow, sister, why aren’t you speaking? Do you also think it was Morgan Ashworth?"

Apart from Morgan Ashworth, who else could it be?

Willow remained silent, peculiarly quiet and calm.

...

Willow and Vivi headed out the door, "Willow, sister, we’re going to..."

The next second, Vivi’s voice ceased because she saw someone ahead.

"Miles Linden... oh no, Morgan Ashworth. Should I address you as Young Master Ashworth? Are you human? Do you have a heart? My sister Willow liked you so much, but using her was not enough—you exposed the photo too. I want to beat you to death!" Vivi looked around for anything to use but found nothing, so enraged she nearly took off her shoe to throw it at Morgan Ashworth’s face.

Willow lifted her head; her gaze met the familiar figure, still tall and handsome, as if nothing had changed.